Russian asset Donald Trump is very unhappy with one of his minions, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. That’s because in a completely unpredictable moment of responsible government, the FCC unanimously voted for a lengthy administrative review process of the Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s proposed acquisition of Tribune Media.
That decision would likely doom the merger, which would have put Sinclair’s heavily partisan, pro-Trump propaganda into something like 72 percent of homes in the nation. So of course the orange one is not happy.
That direct condemnation from Trump could be the cue to Sinclair and the FCC to not let this merger die. So there’s that to consider. But why, beyond Trump’s love for Sinclair, this tweet now? In the middle of his Putin/tariff/Cohen tapes meltdown? Because he’s been talking to Eric Bolling, the former Fox News host who has been courted by Sinclair in the broadcaster’s plans to challenge Fox for dominance in the wingnut sphere. Trump and Bolling “had a lengthy discussion about the FCC and its role in the media M&A activity,” Bolling told Politico, “and I expressed my disappointment in Pai’s decision on Sinclair, because I found it anti-free market and something that Republicans care about and probably voted for this president because of.”
The other reason for this tweet on this day is a House Energy and Commerce hearing with Pai and FCC Commissioners happening today. Trump is clearly channeling the message from Bolling to House Republicans to do some whomping on Pai over this decision. Because “free markets” and politics.